The development of new technologies has enabled and created new ways of using kaolin, besides the already known applications. One of these known uses is the use as starting material for zeolitic synthesis, a type of kaolin with great potential for this purpose is called hard kaolin. Due to the low crystalline structural degree, the hard kaolin is naturally more reactive for zeolitic synthesis. Having this condition available, the study in question aims to resort to this condition and evaluate the possibility of synthesis and reproducibility of the synthesis of zeolite using kaolin in natura, without previous thermal or chemical treatments and consecutive cationic calcium and lithium exchange. The conformation of the synthesized zeolitic product in various formats for subsequent application as an adsorbent product in a fixed bed column, also developed in the study for the adsorption of ammonium ion and subsequent desorption, with the intention of investigating the potential of the conformed product as a slow release fertilizer for agricultural purposes. X-ray diffractometry of the zeolitic product indicated the presence of crystalline peaks of zeolite A, sodalite and anatase. The electronic microscopy images presented a morphology analogous to wool balloons, characteristic of sodalite. The adsorption capacity obtained from the experiments performed in the fixed bed column developed in the study indicated good results with potential optimization of the adsorption system at different concentrations and ions.
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